Abstract

Richard Halliburton traveled extensively in the first part of twentieth
century after graduating from Princeton University in 1921. The collection contains
autograph and typescript drafts of seven of Halliburton's books, short stories,
essays, school notes, and other travel memorabilia. It also includes some of
Halliburton's correspondence with his parents and research material about Rupert
Brooke.

Description

Description

The papers span Halliburton's short but adventurist life: from his telling fifth
form, Lawrenceville School essay "Disillusioned," through his Princeton
University years (Princeton Class of 1921), his years of worldwide travel,
lecturing, and writing, to his posthumously-published "autobiography" of letters
to his parents (1940). Autograph and/or typescript drafts of seven of his
books-- The Royal Road to Romance (1925), The Glorious Adventure (1927), New Worlds to Conquer (1929), The Flying
Carpet (1932), Seven League Boots
(1935), A Book of Marvels (1937), Second Book of Marvels (1938)--are present, as are
some short stories, essays, and notes from his school days. There are also
passports, publishing contracts, memorabilia, maps, and newspapers
clippings.

Halliburton's numerous letters to his parents (1919-1939) provide a vivid account
of his travels, and they are supplemented with over 10 boxes of photographs of
the exotic locales he visited, many of which were never published in his books.
Correspondence of others includes letters from Devil's Island prisoners (with
some manuscripts). A large part of the papers consists of Halliburton's research
material for a biography of Rupert Brooke that he never wrote: his
correspondence with Brooke's friends/acquaintances and summaries of interviews
he had with them, as well as copies of Brooke's works and correspondence, some
clippings, and photographs.

Collection Creator
Biography

Richard Halliburton was an American traveler, adventurer, and author, whose books
about his exploits captured the romantic spirit of his generation. He followed
Ulysses' route through the Mediterranean and emulated Lord Byron by swimming the
Hellespont. He swam the Panama Canal, ran from Marathon to Athens, visited the penal
colony at Devil's Island, and climbed the Matterhorn, Mount Olympus, and Mount Fuji.
These and other experiences became the basis for Halliburton's romantic narratives;
and his literary career developed out of his meticulous logging of events that
occurred on his adventures. However, in March 1939 Halliburton left Hong Kong aboard
a motor-powered Chinese junk called the "Sea Dragon", which he had built, en route
to San Francisco. Both he and his boat disappeared after encountering a severe
typhoon, some 1,200 miles west of Midway Island.

Collection History

Acquisition

Papers of Halliburton are a gift of Wesley Halliburton. Collection of letters and
telegrams from Halliburton to his editor is a gift of Thomas Orchard.
Photographs are a gift of William C. Wilson. Misc. manuscripts, documents,
correspondence are a gift of the First National Bank of Memphis. 3 Letters from
Halliburton to P.L. Williams were purchased in 2005.

Access and Use

Access Restrictions

Use Restrictions

The 78 letters and 5 telegrams by Halliburton to Lawrance Chambers, his editor at
Bobbs-Merrill, require permission from Louis de Rochemont if they are to be used
for movie or TV productions.

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication
of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University
Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the
collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare
Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of
literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for
determining any questions of copyright.

Genre Terms

Alternative Form Available

Publications: All of Halliburton's books were published by Bobbs-Merrill of
Indianapolis: The Royal Road to Romance (1925),
The Glorious Adventure (1927), New Worlds to Conquer (1929), The Flying Carpet (1932), Seven League
Boots (1935), A Book of Marvels (1937),
Second Book of Marvels (1938), Richard Halliburton: His Story of His Life's
Adventures (1940).